San Diego State vs. UH at Manoa

Comparable Facts

Compare San Diego State University in San Diego, CA with University of Hawaii at Manoa in Honolulu, HI on tuition, admissions, graduation, earnings, and student body data using the table above.

San Diego State University is larger than UH at Manoa based on total student enrollment (41,137 students vs. 20,028 students)

Location, institution type, and student-faculty ratio

• San Diego State University is located in San Diego, CA (Large City setting); University of Hawaii at Manoa is in Honolulu, HI (Large City setting).
• San Diego State University is a public, non-profit 4-year institution. University of Hawaii at Manoa is a public, non-profit 4-year institution.
• Student-to-faculty ratio: San Diego State University 27:1; University of Hawaii at Manoa 15:1.

San Diego State vs. UH at Manoa Cost Comparison

Which college is more expensive, San Diego State or UH at Manoa? Published tuition is the sticker price; many students pay less after aid (see average net price below).

• The typical actual cost that students pay to attend (average net price) is less at San Diego State University than UH at Manoa ($14,704 vs. $17,202).
• Living costs (room and board or off-campus housing budget) at University of Hawaii at Manoa are 36.4% lower than at San Diego State University ($14,658 vs. $23,030).
• University of Hawaii at Manoa is 39.6% more expensive for in-state tuition than San Diego State (about $3,458 more per year; $12,186.00 vs. $8,728.00).
• Out-of-state tuition is 60.4% higher at UH at Manoa than at San Diego State University (about $12,890 more per year; $34,218.00 vs. $21,328.00).
• A larger share of students receive grant aid at University of Hawaii at Manoa than at San Diego State University (66% vs. 47%).
• The average total grant financial aid received by San Diego State University students is 49.9% larger than aid received by University of Hawaii at Manoa students ($12,053 vs. $8,039).

San Diego State vs. UH at Manoa Admissions comparison

Which college is harder to get into, San Diego State or UH at Manoa? Typical SAT and ACT scores (same estimates as in the table above), middle 50% test ranges where reported, test score submission policy, deadlines, and acceptance rates summarize admission difficulty between UH at Manoa and San Diego State.

• The typical SAT score (median estimate) at San Diego State University (1200) is 10 points higher than at UH at Manoa (1190).
• Incoming San Diego State students have a 4 point higher typical ACT composite (median estimate) (25 vs. 21 at UH at Manoa).
• Reported middle 50% SAT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: San Diego State University 1090/1300; University of Hawaii at Manoa 1081/1293.
• Reported middle 50% ACT composite range (25th-75th percentile) for admitted students: San Diego State University 22/29; University of Hawaii at Manoa 17/25.
• Submitting SAT or ACT scores: San Diego State - Test-free; UH at Manoa - Test optional.
• Typical fall application deadline: San Diego State Nov 30, 2026.
• Accepted freshman San Diego State students have a 0.15 point higher average high school GPA (3.82) than students at UH at Manoa (3.67).
• UH at Manoa has a higher acceptance rate (86.6%) than San Diego State (36.2%).
• The share of admitted students who enrolled (yield) is 20.4% at San Diego State vs. 21.4% at UH at Manoa.

San Diego State vs. UH at Manoa Graduation Outcomes Comparison

How do outcomes compare for San Diego State and UH at Manoa? Graduation rate, earnings, and student loan debt are common indicators. The bullets below summarize the same federal outcomes fields as the comparison table (College Scorecard / IPEDS where applicable).

• San Diego State University's six-year graduation rate (66%) is higher than University of Hawaii at Manoa's (55%).
• Graduates from San Diego State University earn a median of about $4,100 more per year than UH at Manoa graduates about ten years after starting college ($53,400 vs. $49,300), per the same Scorecard earnings definition.
• Among federal student loan borrowers, San Diego State University graduates have a $3,401 lower median loan debt than UH at Manoa graduates ($15,349 vs. $18,750).
• Among borrowers, San Diego State graduates have an estimated $35 lower median monthly federal student loan payment than UH at Manoa graduates ($158 vs. $193).
• More UH at Manoa graduates are actively paying back their federal student loan debt than former San Diego State students, three years after graduation. (69% vs. 65%)

Sources: U.S. Department of Education https://nces.ed.gov IPEDS and College Scorecard https://collegescorecard.ed.gov/. Values reflect the most recent year available in our dataset.